After conducting an intensive study of all the buildings on campus, the best and worst buildings on campus have been identified by a blue-ribbon panel consisting of me. What does the “best” ranking mean you ask? Well basically it means that it is worth your time to check out the building while you are in Ithaca. On the flipside, the “worst” building ranking means that it is ugly and boring and that it would be a pity to have lectures in that dumpy place.
*Note*: The ILR building and the Biotechnology building were not included in this study due to conflicts related to accessibility.
Worst Building
Ward Center For Nuclear Sciences - I had high expectations for this place. I mean, anything related to nuclear science has to be pretty cool right? WRONG! Maybe if this building was named the Ward Center for Ugly, then I would not have been as harsh. This place is tiny and hidden within the Engineering Quad. Unfortunately, I managed to find it and had the unpleasant experience of exploring an abandoned building that looks and smells like it hasn’t changed a bit since it's glory days with the Manhattan Project.
Worst Building
Runner-Up
Baker Laboratory –
This building is huge and sits on top of the hill right before you cross the
main bridge heading towards north campus. From the outside, it looks like a grand structure
sitting on its throne, looking down in contempt at its ghetto neighbor, Rand
Hall, which ironically houses the top architecture program in the country.
However, once you enter the front doors you will be greeted with a dark lobby
filled with brown tables and chairs, reminiscent of a Bingo Night at your local
senior citizens center. Besides the lackluster entrance way, the lecture halls are filled with algae-green chairs and they didn't even bother to finish laying down the linoleum tiles in front of the library.
Best Building
Uris Library – Nestled at the foot of the McGraw clock tower, this building is epic in scale and grandeur. There are many parts to this library, but the timeless A.D. White Reading Room with its crisscrossing catwalks is the most impressive room to visit. And if you ever wondered what was inside that panoramic window overlooking the slope, well it is the cocktail lounge in the basement of Uris. Walking and exploring Uris Library will take at least 10-15 minutes and as the "best" building at Cornell University, it is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t checked it out already.
Best Building
Runner-Up
Mann Library – I guess the libraries at Cornell have to be well-designed and adorned because everyone studies so hard. Mann Library is like Uris’ newer and shinier brother but lacks the charm and class of its counterpart. Nonetheless, Mann Library, which is located in the Ag Quad, is a pleasant surprise amongst the old and drab buildings that surround it (*ahem* Warren Hall) and is also worth a look around. The 2nd and 3rd floors also contain additional study areas to check out.
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